The Terps play their penultimate midweek of the season.
Following a 2-1 series loss to Nebraska, Maryland baseball needs to stack up wins in order for it earn a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Its first step to achieving that goal starts Tuesday when they take on James Madison, concluding a 10-game road trip.
The Dukes currently rank No. 23 in RPI, while the Terps dropped down to No. 46 after falling to the Cornhuskers.
Tuesday’s game will begin at 6 p.m. and stream on ESPN+.
James Madison Dukes (24-15, 10-8 Sun Belt)
James Madison enters Tuesday’s game on a roll, having won eight of its past 11 games. Meanwhile, The Terps have seven losses in their past 11 contests.
This past weekend, the Dukes swept Georgia Southern, and currently sit in fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference.
The two teams last faced off in College Park on March 19, with the Terps prevailing, 9-5.
Hitters to watch
Jason Schiavone, junior catcher, No. 25 — Schiavone leads the Dukes this season with 13 home runs and is second on the team with 33 RBIs.
Fenwick Trimble, junior infielder/outfielder, No. 13 — Trimble’s been stellar this year with runners in scoring position, pacing his squad with 38 RBIs. His .359 batting average also leads the team.
Ryan Dooley, junior outfielder, No. 22 — Dooley’s been maybe the most efficient Duke through 39 games, posting a .319 batting average and .879 OPS to go along with 29 RBIs.
Pitchers to watch
Sean Culkin, redshirt senior right-hander, No. 15 — Culkin has started James Madison’s last two midweeks, having been good for about two innings of work per outing. In six appearances this year, he has a 1-1 record with an 18.90 ERA.
Chase Hustead, sophomore right-hander, No. 29 — Hustead has also appeared in each of James Madison’s last two midweeks. In four appearances this year, he’s posted a 5.40 ERA in five innings of work.
Strength
Hits. James Madison averages nearly 10 hits per game and has a cumulative batting average of .302.
Weakness
Struggles against the Terps. The Dukes have dropped their last four meetings against the Terps, and haven’t defeated them at home since 2015.
Three things to know
1. Who will start? Meade Johnson and Ryan Van Buren have started Maryland’s last two midweeks, but after head coach Matt Swope’s shuffling of the rotation it would not be surprising to see the Terps go with an opener Tuesday.
Some options include Andrew Johnson, Trystan Sarcone or Logan Berrier.
2. The start of a crucial week. Following Sunday’s loss to Nebraska, Swope said that this week will be one of the most important of the season.
“We have a big opportunity this next week with JMU on Tuesday and then getting back home to face Illinois.”
3. The final stretch. With only 14 games remaining on the schedule, the Terps need to play mistake-free and efficient baseball to salvage any postseason hopes.